What You Need to Know About Apartment Gardening

The post What You Need to Know About Apartment Gardening appeared first on Miss Smarty Plants.

With the pandemic situation, we have been forced to self-isolate and adapt to an indoor lifestyle. And while it’s easy to stay idle inside your apartment, it’s important to keep ourselves occupied. One great way to stay productive is by trying indoor gardening.

According to researchers from Chungnam National University, indoor gardening comes with numerous benefits—from relieving stress, to decreasing blood pressure.

The good news is that you don’t need a big space to get started, as an apartment garden can be just as ideal for lush greenery as a regular garden. If you’re ready to set up your own, we have gathered some tips from here in the US and from Europe that will guide you.

Set Up a Sunny Space

The first thing you’ll need to do when setting up your garden is find a space that attracts some sunshine. Whether it’s on your balcony or by the windows in your living room, getting an ample amount of sunlight is vital for the growth of any plant.

While you’re at it, you can also get creative when building your apartment garden. If you have a balcony, you can put some wooden crates to use as flower boxes. You can also take your cue from Parisians who like to create living walls for their urban gardens. This not only looks stunning but also increases the air quality of the surrounding space. Paris residents have even been encouraged to turn to this trend by the city government who now provide planting kits. While you don’t have to cover an entire wall, even a few plants will go a long way to improving your apartment’s living space.

Start with Succulents

Succulents can easily be spotted in any trendy apartment, but the popularity of these plants can be traced back to Sweden. True enough, The Local reveals that nature-loving Swedes started adding succulents in their homes because they’re easy to care for. From Aloe vera to the Zebra plant, succulents only need to be watered occasionally.

It’s important to remember, though, they only thrive in well-lit areas. Fortunately, there are many fun ways to place them in your apartment, thanks to their portability. On that note, why not set aside space for a hanging succulent terrarium by following our own guide.

Add a Water Feature

Elevate your apartment garden’s design by drawing inspiration from the British and their penchant for water features. The good news is that you don’t need much space or to break any ground, with features like a Mixed Metal Water Fountain being a self-contained unit that would fit perfectly on a balcony or even indoors.

Whether it’s placing a fountain on the balcony or installing a wall fountain, there’s one thing you’ll need to prepare for before adding any feature: the plumbing. While you might be tempted to grab a wrench and do some DIY, changing a single part can affect your entire water supply. And with HomeServe outlining how burst pipes are one of the most common issues facing households it pays to avoid any potential mishaps by seeking professional help for this modification. Ensuring that you have the proper plumbing for your cool new additions allows you to tend to your plants with ease, while ensuring your home is safe from any water damage.

Choose the Right Potting Mix

Since apartment plants aren’t exposed to most natural resources, veer from using regular soil and find the appropriate potting mix for each of your plants. For instance, succulents require soil that’s absorbent and coarse, while herbs call for a mixture that’s much smoother and lighter. And whichever soil use you use, be sure to repot your apartment plants every year, so they’re provided with the proper nutrients.

Protect Your Plants

Last but not least, don’t forget to prevent the presence of pests. Contrary to popular belief, pests aren’t only limited to the outside, as these sneaky creatures can manage to find a way to your apartment plants through soil or fertilizer. And while people typically use pesticide to deal with them, they’re harmful for indoor spaces due to the toxic chemicals they contain. Luckily there are organic alternatives for eliminating pests, such as a salt spray, eucalyptus oil, and chrysanthemum tea.

If you need more tips on indoor or outdoor gardening do check out our articles on Miss Smarty Plants.

The post What You Need to Know About Apartment Gardening appeared first on Miss Smarty Plants.

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